22 Feb 2017

The Union Government has launched Bharat QR code, a quick response (QR) code to enable digital payments without card swiping machines. It is world’s first interoperable payment acceptance solution launched by Indian Government to move towards less-cash economy.

Key facts

Bharat QR code has been developed by jointly by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), Visa, MasterCard and American Express under instructions from Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

It works as common interface for the MasterCard/Visa/RuPay platforms and also facilitate acceptance of Aadhaar-enabled payments and Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

It enables person to make payments to retailers without using the merchant’s ID or number. It eliminated need of using card swiping machines making digital payments.

Using, BharatQR code merchants will be required to only display one QR code instead of multiple ones. Users can make payment by scanning the code.

BharatQR code is of two types static and dynamic. In static QR code, first code need to be scanned and then amount is entered to make payment.

In case of dynamic QR code, new QR code will be generated in real time for every transaction. In this case there is no need to enter the amount. The payment is just made by scanning and entering the PIN.

Government launches Cyber Swachhta Kendra in New Delhi

The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched Cyber Swachhta Kendra in New Delhi for Botnet cleaning and Malware analysis. It was launched by Union Minister of Electronics and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad as part of Union Government’s ambitious digital India initiative to create a secure cyber space by detecting botnet infections. Besides, minister also launched some cyber security tools. They are

USB Pratirodh: It is a desktop security solution to protect from USB mass storage device threats.

AppSamvid: It is a desktop solution to protect systems by allowing installation of genuine applications through white listing. It helps in preventing threats from malicious applications.

M-Kavach: It is an indigenously developed mobile application to address the security threats in mobiles.

About Cyber Swachhta Kendra

The centre mission is to create a secure cyber space by detecting botnet infections in India and to notify, enable cleaning and securing systems of end users so as to prevent further infections.

It is being operated by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) under provisions of Section 70B of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000.

The centre complies with the objectives of the National Cyber Security Policy, 2013 which aims at creating a secure cyber eco-system in the country.

It operates in close coordination and collaboration with Internet Service Providers (ISPs), academia, banks and Product and Antivirus companies.

Shurhozelie Liezitsu sworn-in as Chief Minister of Nagaland

Shurhozelie Liezitsu (81) was sworn-in as the 17th Chief Minister of Nagaland. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor PB Acharya at a ceremony in the state capital Kohima. He succeeded TR Zeliang, who had resigned as the Chief Minister following widespread protests over reservation to women in local body elections. Besides CM, 10 other members of the Council also took oath.

About Shurhozelie Liezitsu

His political career spans over four decades since he was first elected to the state assembly in 1969 from northern Angami-I constituency under Kohima district.

He also has served the office eight times, holding different ministerial portfolios, including education and planning. He was the Minister for Higher education till 2013.

He is one of the founding members of first regional party in Nagaland. He is also an eminent scholar and one of the most decorated educationists in the Angami literature (the native language of the Angami tribe).

National Biodiversity Congress 2017 held in Kerala

The National Biodiversity Congress (NBC) 2017 was held in Thiruvananthapuram, capital of Kerala. The event is hosted by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board. NBC is one of the significant biodiversity mega events of the country. It aims to identify practical, evidence-based case studies at the regional level to support the plan of action.

Key Facts

The focal theme of 2017 NBC was “Mainstreaming Biodiversity for Sustainable Development”.

This edition of the event had organised array of programmes including exhibition, conference, capacity building workshops and Children’s Biodiversity Congress.

National Biodiversity Conference, governed by a national advisory committee comprising biodiversity conservation experts was also held.

Number of experts in field of biodiversity conservation had delivered keynote address and plenary lectures on variety of key issues related to biodiversity conservation, sustainable utilisation and benefit sharing.

Members of academic and research institutions, civil society, biodiversity management committees, NGOs, farmers, students, corporates also participated in the event.

Government approves Phase II of coastal surveillance project

The Union Defence Ministry has given its nod to the Phase II of coastal surveillance project to expand the coastal radar surveillance network. It will strengthen surveillance of over 7,500-km coastline of the country. The decision was taken by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. It also approved proposal of setting up of a shore-based intermediate engine repair facility for the Indian Navy’s MiG-29K fighters at the Naval yard in Goa.